Blond
Brouwerij West

 

Bought from BeerDrop, this Blond seems a re-release and much improved (hence, my rating considerably above the average.) Actually, this seems released probably a second time in 2014 based on the evidence I see on BA and UnTappd. So for this release, it indicates this brewer's ability to become "new again" after seven years and improve. It seems as if Brouwerij West has done that growing.

This Blond Looks good (even if you like darks this season), a nice foam still active 20 minutes into the meal. Smells reveal the ale's weakness: the yeast does not work the malt to produce a rich variety of fruit. But Tastes are balanced; providing a narrow range of fruit that still has some spice. In my mouth, this Blond can stay; refreshing, cleansing of my palate. And best of all, suitable at the table... much like a saison with a variety of foods.

Overall, this is a much improved ale from its 2014 release. And while this is only my second from Brouwerij West, I'm betting that they have grown substantially as they approach their 12th year. To me, their saisons are of particular interest; but I also bought their Tripel from Beer Drop and that will be reviewed when I next desire a pale.

1/31/23 Just had the second copy with a simple meal of roasted potatoes and a medley of five sauces. And Blond paired with most of them well. As for the S Carolina mustard/vinegar BBQ sauce, Blond merely did OK with that challenge. Edited the above. I will have Blond a third time if I can find it.

Poured from a 16.9 into a Nonic.

Pours a dirty-blonde and muddled with very limited head. Almost flat. No lacing. Hm.

Aromas of vague fruit and Belgian yeast. Lots of yeast. Some faint grass and floral notes.

Sweet malt on the tip of the tongue. Tons of yeast in midstream, along with a general estery fruit flavor. Maybe some distinguishable pear and raisin. The finish is white pepper but not enough to balance out some pretty strong sweetness.

The brew is medium (at least) and slick. Lacking in carbonation.

Really confused on this one. It isn't terrible. It also isn't even passable for the style, even if it has notes that resemble a blonde. I hope I got a bad bottle or something but...

 

 

 

 

Appearance: Light gamboge/jonquil body with an isabelline head.

Aroma: Bitter malts, grains, and rather yeasty.

Taste: 'Light hops and dirty earth' were the first things that came to mind when drinking this; it reminded me of Old Style.

Mouthfeel: Considerably light carbonation - rather flat, actually.

Overall: Certainly not one of the best beers I have had, let alone one of the best blondes I have had. I had this along with Brouwerij West's 'Tripel' and was excited as it was my first time trying their beers. I don't think I will be revisiting this one.

 

 

 

On-tap at Venice Ale House, Venice, CA

A: The beer is clear dark golden yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin white head that left a large patch of bubbles in the center and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of nondescript malts are present in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has flavors of light malts along with slight hints of sweetness.
M: It feels just about medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer seems a lot more like an American Blonde Ale than a Belgian Pale Ale. I didn't get any bits of Belgian yeast in the smell or taste.

 

 

16.9oz bottle poured into straight pint glass. Poured a hazy yellow color with over 3/4 inch of white head that decent retention and moderate lacing.

The aroma featured a good grain base, had a bright yeast scent, and had a bit of spiciness floating around. The flavors followed the scents pretty closely, grain, spice, and yeast, it was a pretty typical flavor profile for the style.

The body was smooth and even, with a clean finish. Drinkability was good, the beer went down smoothly and quickly. Overall, a nice little beer, but nothing special. Worth grabbing if you see a nice price on it.

500ml bottle poured into an imperial pint glass.
Appearance: Light butterscotch, thin white head, as cloudy as grandma’s cataract.
Smell: I swear to god this smells like a skunked Corona. It’s that bottle that’s been sitting on the shelf at 7-11 for who knows how long and could not have possibly absorbed more light. Mutated, spicy noble hops. Terrible.
Taste: Also tastes like bad Corona. Bad Corona that someone ran through a grain bed of pilsner malt and wheat. I almost could not finish it.
Mouthfeel: Light body, medium carbonation.
Overall: This brewery could not possibly ask more of me as a consumer. I heard about what they’re doing, went out and purchased a bottle of each, and will probably never buy anything else they make. I’ve been underwhelmed five times in a row. This beer may be the worst of them. I absolutely love the artwork on their labels, and the fact that they intend to rotate them, but I guess I’ll be appreciating them on the shelf going forward.

 

A light and spritzy brew with a distinct Belgian edge. Pale hazy golden in the glass with a modest foam and adequate spritzy mouthfeel. This tastes a lot like the Swing Session Saison from Victory that I tried last night, though a little more robust. Still this is pale and light bodied with yeasty funk and more of a Brettanomyces flavor. A pleasant beery smell.

Very bitter with the yeasty flavors, lasting long into the aftertaste. Quite drinkable and not overpriced. But very dry and hard edged. No trace of fruit or mellow malt in this one. Eventually this just pushes to the bitter end and I can't finish a bottle of this stuff, in spite of its virtues. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Bottleworks in San Diego for $5.15.

Pours a clouded yellow gold with a decently thick white-ish head. Nice Belgian profile on this. It's been aging for at least 8 or 9 months, I think, so it seems somewhat mellow. Tones of lemon, though not obnoxiously so. Mild yeast and bread are also there. A nice easy drinker. Not too bad, and better than I seem to recall from the last time I tried this beer.